Holiday cruises are much beloved traditions for many cruise passengers, and a wonderful way to enjoy the cheer of the season without the stress of cleaning, cooking, decorating, and other preparations.

Ahead of the official start of the 2023 holiday season, Carnival Cruise Line has announced the dates for when each ship in the fleet will be decked out in its holiday finest.

Carnival Cruise Line Christmas 2023 Decorating Schedule

With the holiday season fast approaching, cruise guests with sailings booked in late November and early December are curious whether or not their ship will be showing off wreaths, garlands, bows, and festively-lit trees when they embark.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has announced the holiday decorating schedule for each of the line’s 25 current vessels, as well as when the upcoming Carnival Jubilee will also be showcasing festive décor.

“I wanted to share the Christmas decorating schedule with you as our professional decoratists deck the decks with holly, ivy and of course the big tree,” Heald said.

The schedule for 2023 Carnival ship Christmas decorations is as follows (by cruise departure date):

• November 24 – Carnival Conquest, Carnival Radiance
• November 25 – Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon, Mardi Gras, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Spirit
• November 26 – Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, Carnival Glory, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Vista
• November 27 – Carnival Elation, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Valor
• November 30 – Carnival Venezia
• December 2 – Carnival Magic, Carnival Paradise
• December 3 – Carnival Legend, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Pride
• December 4 – Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunshine

The new Carnival Jubilee – which just completed her conveyance down the Ems river ahead of her upcoming sea trials – will be decorated beginning December 20, 2023, as she welcomes dignitaries and VIPs onboard for her initial sailing.

The very first guests to sail on the new ship, which debuts from Galveston, Texas on December 23, will be the first ever to see her holiday celebrations.

Why Are Ships Decorated on Different Dates?

The schedule for decorating different cruise ships for the holidays depends on a variety of factors. Because seasonal decorations are not stored onboard, ships can only be in port while the decorations are loaded and set up.

Furthermore, most cruise lines employ separate professionals to hang holiday decorations, as regular crew members already have full schedules with their assigned duties. This ensures the ships can be fully decorated in just the few hours between when one cruise ends and the next begins later the same day.

Read Also: What to Expect on a Christmas Cruise

Occasionally, decorations must be shipped to different homeports, and that may delay a ship’s decorating schedule until later in the season to ensure the proper materials and supplies arrive for the full decorating ensemble.

When Are Holiday Decorations Removed?

Carnival’s ships will remain fully in festive mode through January 1, 2024, but will typically lose their decorations on the first turnaround day in the new year, even if that is January 2 or 3.

Just as the initial decoration dates vary, so too do the dates when decorations are removed, but in general, all holiday decor is stowed away within the first week of January.

On rare occasions, it may be necessary to remove decorations before the new year officially begins, such as if a ship is entering a dry dock or beginning an extensive longer sailing that will take it far from where holiday decorations may be stored.

In these rare situations, however, it is more likely that decorations would simply be packed away onboard after the new year, and removed from the ship at the first available opportunity to be stored until the next holiday season.

Are you booked on a holiday sailing? What decorations do you like most? Share your seasonal wish list on the Cruise Hive boards!

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has offered guests advice and commiseration about reportedly watered-down vanilla purchased in Cozumel, Mexico, but with a bittersweet reminder that the cruise line has no control or authority over local retailers in ports of call. How can travelers be sure they’re getting quality merchandise?

Carnival Cruise Line Deals With “Vanilla Gate”

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald fields hundreds of questions, comments, and requests from guests nearly every day. Some requests are simple, some are outrageous, and some spark great controversy among other loyal Carnival cruisers.

Lately, comments about a very popular souvenir – Mexican vanilla – have begun to be more forceful and distressing.

Apparently, some guests have been communicating that the vanilla they have purchased while on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, has actually been watered down and is of far inferior quality and what travelers come to expect from this sought-after flavoring, typically marketed as “double strength” “pure” “two-fold” “gourmet” or “baker’s vanilla” – sometimes all on the same label.

Guests have commented to Heald that shops selling the lesser quality vanilla should be shut down and that the cruise line should do something about the practice. Heald has graciously responded to the upset guests, being clear about the cruise line’s influence and responsibility.

“We do not own the shops in Cozumel, we don’t have any control over what they sell, and we cannot close them down,” Heald said. “Please shop carefully!”

The comments are apparently being associated only with Cozumel – the busiest cruise port in the world – but may also apply to vanilla purchases in other Mexican ports of call.

Is Vanilla Really Being Tampered With?

It is possible, however, that the impacted guests may have inadvertently purchased a different variety of vanilla with a different manufacturing process that may result in various concentrations or flavor profiles.

While unscrupulous practices and actual watering-down of the vanilla could also be at play, but no evidence of tampering or substitutions has been provided.

It is also possible that guests may be misreading labels or misunderstanding how the vanilla is bottled. It is common for the ingredients to include pure vanilla, ethyl alcohol (as a preservative), and water. This does not mean, however, that the vanilla is “watered down” or otherwise of lesser quality.

Cruise visitors should always be conscientious when they shop. Checking labels carefully, as well as noting whether the bottle’s seal is intact, is essential to ensure a safe and authentic purchase. Guests can also check the bottom of a bottle for any sign of tampering, such as unknown holes or punctures that could indicate a contaminated bottle.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Debunks Yet Another Rumor

Choosing to shop at port retailers in duty free areas is another way to help ensure one is buying authentic Mexican vanilla from a reputable retailer, rather than venturing outside the port area for an unlabeled and possibly unregulated store. The prices may be cheaper, but the quality may also be suspect.

Why Is Mexican Vanilla so Popular?

Mexican vanilla is a popular souvenir for many cruise guests to buy, and often family members, friends, and neighbors may request a few extra bottles when they know someone is going on a cruise.

The “double strength” vanilla, made by using twice as many beans in the manufacturing process, is richly flavorful and can be used at half amounts in North American or European recipes (only half a teaspoon is needed if a teaspoon is called for in the recipe, for example). This makes using Mexican vanilla economically wise for many frequent or professional bakers.

Using the vanilla at full strength also adds a much stronger flavor to cakes, cookies, pies, fudges, and other recipes, but without extra liquid that could unbalance a delicate recipe or cause texture changes.

Mexican vanilla is also available in a clear variety, ensuring the flavoring does not discolor icing or dough so treats are true-to-color. Bottles are available in various sizes, so every traveler can stock up as needed for their own baking and cooking preferences.

Many bakers – even casual home cooks – are loyal to particular, time-tested ingredients. Once switching to Mexican vanilla, however, few will switch back to other varieties. Running low is a great reason to book another cruise to Mexico!

Carnival Jubilee has set a fleet first before even officially joining Carnival Cruise Line as she has completed a tricky navigation of the river Ems in northwest Germany, reaching the North Sea where her sea trials will take place. The new ship is the first ever in the Carnival fleet to complete the conveyance, as the ship is the first to have been built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Carnival Jubilee Conveyance Successful

The 182,800-gross-ton Carnival Jubilee successfully transferred down the River Ems from Papenburg, Germany to Eemshaven, Netherlands from early Monday morning, October 30, 2023, until her arrival in Eemshaven early Tuesday morning.

The tricky conveyance involved manuvering the massive ship not only through the river’s twists and turns, under a number of bridges, and through narrow channels, but also sailing backward for better navigation along the challenging route.

Two tugboats supported the journey and assisted with maneuvering as needed, and a group of Ems River pilots from the Pilot Brotherhood of Emden led the procedure with their expertise and state-of-the-art technology.

Sea Trials Just Days Away

With Carnival Jubilee now successfully at the mouth of the river in the Wadden Sea, preparations are underway for her first round of sea trials – slated to begin on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

The ship’s sea trials will test her full functional capabilities, from straight cruising to emergency stops, turns of different degrees and swiftness, navigation, maximum speed, and much more. These tests are critical to ensure all the ship’s systems are functioning properly and work together for most efficient operation.

The length of sea trials can vary from just a day or two to as long as two weeks, depending on the extent of the testing, local weather conditions that may cause delays, and how the ship performs, including whether or not any individual tests need to be redone.

During the sea trials, the ship’s full complement of officers, technicians, and engineers will be onboard for the testing as well as to begin familiarizing themselves with the vessel’s operation, layout, and procedures. After successful testing, Carnival Jubilee will be one step closer to her December 23, 2023 maiden voyage from Galveston, Texas.

Completion Work Continues

Even as the sea trials get underway, Carnival Jubilee is continuing to be refined as shipbuilders onboard the vessel continue with finishing details and interior work.

This includes décor for the ship’s different venues, including her ocean-themed “Currents” and “Shores” neighborhoods and their immersive artwork, LED lighting, and unique sound designs.

Seating, fixtures, and signage is being put in place for the new and exclusive Dr. Inks, Ph.D and Golden Mermaid bars, as well as the popular Emeril’s Bistro 717 – a variation of the Emeril’s installations onboard Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

Finishing touches are also being put on the Ultimate Playground with BOLT, the Ultimate Sea Coaster, the ship’s SportSquare facilities, and the WaterWorks aqua park, not to mention the intimate and immersive Grand Central space, the fan favorite Guy’s Burger Joint, and so much more the ship will offer.

Debut Less Than Two Months Away

Carnival Jubilee is scheduled to welcome guests for the first time on December 23, 2023 with her first sailing, a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston. In addition to three full days at sea for passengers to enjoy all the new ship has to offer, the itinerary includes visits to Roatan, Honduras and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.

The new ship will remain homeported in Galveston year-round at least through April 2026 offering the same 7-night itinerary, though port orders change depending on departure date. On each sailing, the ship will be able to welcome 5,282 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 6,465 travelers when fully booked.

Bringing the Excel-class vessel to Galveston shows Carnival Cruise Line’s commitment to the Lone Star State, as does the ship’s unique bow decoration that will forever connect her to the Texas homeport.

It will indeed be a jubilant day when the new ship arrives in Texas in less than two months!

She’s currently the second oldest ship in the Carnival Cruise fleet and just one of two Fantasy-class vessels that remain, but the cruise line is not giving up on Carnival Paradise yet by completing another dry dock refurbishment. The ship is now refreshed and renovated, with new spaces and upgrades to the popular Fantasy-class vessel.

Carnival Paradise Returns After Dry Dock

Fresh out of a 16-day dry dock, Carnival Paradise has welcomed guests again as she begins her twenty-sixth year of service with Carnival Cruise Line. The ship first entered service on November 25, 1998, and over the years has undergone various dry docks, refits, and renovations to stay a guest favorite.

This most recent dry dock, which was completed in Freeport, Bahamas, upgraded the adults-only Serenity Retreat and expanded the ship’s Majestic Casino, as well as refreshed other public areas with replacements to flooring, upholstery, and other materials as needed.

The piano bar has also been updated, and will once again be a nighttime hotspot for music and camaraderie, while the miniature golf course has been thoroughly redone and refurbished to look like new again.

Other typical updates on this type of refurbishment will have included paint, decking, lighting, and similar fixes and upgrades, as well as behind-the-scenes technical updates to both software and hardware in different departments to keep the ship functioning at peak efficiency.

Now Sailing Out of Tampa, Florida

The 71,925-gross-ton Carnival Paradise is homeported year-round from Tampa, Florida, offering a variety of 4-, 5-, and 6-night Western Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.

This first post-dry-dock sailing is a 6-night itinerary that departed on Monday, October 30, 2023 and will visit Key West, Florida for spooky Halloween fun on October 31. A day at sea follows before the ship arrives in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Thursday and Friday will be spent in George Town, Grand Cayman.

After another day at sea – a great time to try out that newly refreshed mini golf course – Carnival Paradise will return to Tampa on Sunday, November 5.

Depending on the departure date and cruise length, Carnival Paradise‘s upcoming itineraries will also visit other popular ports of call such as Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Nassau and Bimini in the Bahamas.

Once Carnival Cruise Line’s exclusive private destination – Celebration Key – opens on Grand Bahama Island in July 2025, select itineraries of Carnival Paradise will also visit that new tropical hotspot.

On each sailing, the Fantasy-class ship – one of the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet – will welcome 2,124 passengers at double occupancy, or up to 2,606 if fully booked with all berths filled. Also on board are approximately 920 international crew members to deliver service truly worthy of a trip to paradise.

Guest Reaction

Many experienced Carnival cruise guests are thrilled that Carnival Paradise is now refreshed and sailing again, as the small ship is a favorite for many travelers who prefer a more intimate vessel.

Carnival Paradise and her sister ship, Carnival Elation (currently sailing from Jacksonville, Florida) are the only two remaining ships in Carnival’s once industry-leading Fantasy class.

Read Also: Former Carnival Cruise Ships, Where Are They Now?

Five of the other six ships in the class were sold or scrapped during the pandemic shutdown as part of fleet modernization efforts. Carnival Ecstasy was the only ship in the class to have a farewell sendoff, as the ship was retired in October 2022 after a final voyage that included a variety of commemorative events and special activities.

Hopefully, with this new refurbishment giving her rejuvenated vibrancy, Carnival Paradise will enjoy many more years of welcoming guests and setting sail for a paradise of fun.